The Opelousas courier. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1852-1910, 1887-11-05
ISLANDER, mot Principles.
TimAs-Democrak.

The campaign of the :'reformers' is getting
more and more campaign of SANDER With
out any issues of their own, having no policy
marked out, proposing no charges or reforms,
they find themselves without anything to dis
euss or talk of, unless they indulge in attacks
upon the administration.
This is why they revive old issues long
since settled by the Democracy and people
Of Louisiana--such as the old land case,
brought up by Blanchard at a late meeting
and invent new and absurd slanders, such
as the contemplate statement that Gov. Nc
Emery is controlled in his appointments by
others.
The weakness of tbs reformers could not
be better exhibited than in these ISLANDERS.
They have not a word to say for themselves;
they cannot give valid reason why their
candidate. should be elected to office they
cannot say what he would do if elected. They
are left the only recourse of a weak cause
slander. They are ge Stng nearer to this more
and more every day. When the campaign
opened The Times-DemocratA hoped that it
would b"ing about calm and sensible dis
cussi0n Of living interests affecting the peo-
pie of Louisiana, and that it would be free
from personal abuse. The reformers, how
ever. refused to meet on such O. battlefield,
for the simple reason that they Had no argu-
| ments, no policy, NO principles, except to
secure the control of our affairs. They have
been invitedtim@ and again to state what
they propose, TO do; their views On leading g
| meas ares of !. neral Importance have been
calLd for. Tsey have always declined to
giy ) any, answf RUG that they had no views
] Vthese topicsA or had not made up their
pds, and goir back again to their cam
f4gn Of slandeV, with assertions, now that
". McEnery'e ,spointments were personal,
best other time, ,asat they were mot per-
nal, but dictatiiN to him by others-never
ffssshat they were not good rclections and admin
istered the affairs of the State to the best in.
terests of all.
Have they forgotten that the Republicans
in the last presidential campaign pursued this
policy of slander and abuse, and that when
the Democrats invited them to discuss public
measures and to say what they would do they
| declined the invitation and dug up old stories
about Clevelands The people Of the United
| States repndiated this plan of campaign in
no uncertain manner. What they wanted to
know was how their affairs would be ad.qinis
measures favored The Democracy explained;
the Republican party deemed slander and
| ahase an argument-and lost.
And 30 it will be in Louisiana. There are
hundreds of topics here that the people would
like to hear discussed. Much has been done
already, yet much still remains TO be done.
Will the reformers say what they propose
VIII they continue to dodge these questions
Of living momentf Do they believe that ths
people OF Louisiana are SO devoid of intelli
gence th ley care nothing for the admiuis
tration OF 4Aeir affairs, care nothing for pub
lie measures, and are satisfied with such ole
ISLANDERS as these of Blanchard and others
will soon learn when the question is submit
ted to the popular vote whether they want |
candidate with ideas and principles, who
proposes something, and who, we all know
will carry 1t out, or reform without princi
plies, policy or platform